Interlocking connecter for dental use



Oct. 8, 1935. A. M. OPPENHEIMER 2,016,511

INTERLOCKING CONNECTER FOR DENTAL USE Filed Aug. 1, 1952 Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INTERLOCKING CONNECTER FOR DENTAL USE My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in an interlocking connecter or attachment for non-removable dental bridgework or the like, as herein fully described and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

Heretofore, one of the outstanding disadvantages inherent in non-removable dental bridgework or the like, has been the uncleanliness of the inaccessible parts with consequent detrimental effects upon local and general health.

The objects of my invention are:

First, to provide an interlocking connecter with which one or more pontics, or the like, may be connected with each other or with one or more piers or abutments, so as to allow the passage of dental floss or similar agent to be designated herein as a flexible cleaning agent, through and between the members of said interlocking connecter or connecters, and thence under the pontic or pontics, or the like, cleaning the inaccessible portions of the appliance and abutments; or with which two or more teeth may be locked together and remain similarly cleanable.

Second, to combine withthe above mentioned improvement an eflicient locking device which will allow the passage of said flexible cleaning agent, while absolutely preventing any independent movement of the abutments or pontics, or the like, except as hereinafter described.

Third, to combine with the aforementioned features the added advantage of a limited scope of movement between the cooperating parts of the connecter, thus permitting the degree of independence in movement of the abutment teeth necessary for normal function and health.

Further objects are to provide an interlocking connecter as herein described, which can be easily and inexpensively manufactured, and which can be incorporated in dental bridgework by those 40 skilled to accomplish the same; andsuch other advantages as may be implied and evident in these specifications and drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the male member. Figure 2 is a side view of the male 45 member. Figure 3 is a sectional view of the male member taken through the line 33, on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of the female member. Figure 5 is a sectional view of the female member, through the line 5'-5, on Figure 4.

50 Figure 6 is a sectional view of the female member, taken through the line 66 on Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a view of a selected application of the interlocking connecter as incorporated in a dental bridge, showing the course of dental floss or simi- 55 lar flexible cleaning agent as it is passed through and between the members of the connecter, and thence under the pontic to the other bridge abutment. Figure 8 is a sectional view of the interlocking members as assembled and shown in Figure 7. 5,

comprised of a plate 9, presenting a groove I9, 10,

adapted to receive the hooklike extension 2 of the male member, and a spur II, adapted to be received into the notch I of the male member. Said groove I0, terminates in a pocket, the floor of which is marked I4, and from said pocket two channels, I2 and I3, one on each side, run laterally and curve downward and outward to emerge on the face of the plate on either side of the spur II. The purpose of these channels I2 and I3, as will be seen more clearly below, is to permit dental floss or similar flexible cleaning agent to be drawn down along the floor I4, of the pocket of the female member and thence upward and over the spur II, of said member when the male and female members are locked in position.

In Figure '7, is seen one application of the interlocking connecter in a selected dental bridge. The lower first molar is missing. The lower second bicuspid I5, and the lower second molar ll, serve as abutments. The lower first molar space is occupied by a pontic composed of a porcelain facing and tip I6, and a metallic backing I9. Said metallic backing I9, is in this case, soldered directly to an inlay I8, cast to be seated in a specially prepared cavity in the abutment I5. The pontic is connected to the lower second molar abutment IT, by means of the interlocking connecters herein described. For that purpose an inlay 20, has been cast to fit a specially prepared cavity in the abutment I1, and into this inlay has been soldered the female member 24, of the interlocking connecter in the position shown. Into the metallic backing I9, of the pontic, has likewise been soldered the male member 23, of the interlocking connecter. Dental floss 2|, is shown in successive positions passing through and be tween the members of the connecters, and underneath the pontics. Position 2I--A shows dental floss about to enter between the members. Position 2 I-B shows the dental floss half way down 5 along the hooklike extension 2 of the malemember 23. Position 2I-D shows the floss emerging from the cervical region of the passage between the two members, and into the interproximal space, between the pontic and the abutment I1.

to allow the male and female members to be wedged apart by the dental floss or similar agent,

passing between them as shown in Figure '7, and also to permit the degree of independance of movement of the abutments necessary for normal function and health.

The male and female members 23 and 24, are to be manufactured of any suitable and stiff material such as platinized gold.

Ordinarily the female member 24 is intended to be attached to an abutment tooth by means of an inlay or other suitable means of attachment, substantially as shown in Figure 7. The methods by which this may be accomplished are well known and in common use. Likewise, the male member is to be inseparably joined to the metallic portion of the pontic, in such position that it will accurately lock with the female member when the bridge is assembled. This too may be accomplished by well known methods in commen use. Of course, the male and female members might conceivably be reversed in their position in the bridge, the male member being attached to the abutment and the female member to the pontic. Or the interlocking connecter might be placed interposed between two pontics. Furthermore, two or more co-nnecters might be used in the same appliance. Another application of this principle of interlocking connection is seen in the splinting of two or more neighboring teeth to each other, by means of the herein described connectors. Other uses of the connecters may present themselves in many applications besides the aforementioned.

In all cases dental floss or similar flexible cleaning agent may be passed between the members of the connecter, and a definite looking in all directions obtained, together with all the other advantages herein described. 6

Thus, realizing that considerable variation is possible in details of construction and application, I do not intend to limit myself thereto, except as pointed out in the following claims, in which it is my intention to claim all the novelty 10 inherent in the device.

I claim:

1. An interlocking connecter for dental use consisting of two members, a male member provided with an inclined finger; and a female 15 member provided with a pocket to receive said inclined finger of said male member, and two channels extending from the base of said pocket of said female member laterally and to the face of said female member; said male and female members interengaging in such a manner as to prevent separation when incorporated into a dental appliance permanently fixed in the mouth, suflicient clearance being provided between the coapting parts of said male and female members to permit the forced passage of dental floss entirely thru and between the opposing surfaces of said male and female members when locked.

2. A flossable interlocking connecter as herein described, consisting of two members, a male ARMAND M. OPPENHEIMER. 

